The Comfortable Blog

Make saving energy a New Year’s resolution!

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:33:00 GMT

It’s time to start thinking about 2011, which means it’s time to think about resolutions! I don’t know about you, but every year I feel like I should come up with something different to resolve... something besides eat healthier, exercise more, and spend less time working.

If you’re in the same boat, let me suggest that you make saving energy one of your resolutions!

What I like about resolutions is that they’re purposeful. You actually take time to sit down and decide what changes you want to make in your life. Saving energy is something you will definitely need to set your mind to and make a priority, just like extra trips to the gym.

I’ve already blogged about low-cost ways you can save energy, like turning off lights and changing your furnace filters. Don’t discount how much those simple acts can add up! According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, remembering such simple tasks may account for 15% of energy savings! So, get in the habit of doing things like turning off and unplugging appliances when they’re not in use.

But if you’re serious about saving energy and lowering your utility bills, then it’s critical that you have your home’s heating and cooling systems checked out at least once a year. Ask your contractor how efficient your system is, and ask for his or her recommendations for improving your home’s comfort and air quality. Upgrading to an energy-efficient system is going to save you a significant amount of energy (and money).

Lastly, do some research into rebates and incentives that will help you afford energy-saving upgrades around the house. Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) at http://www.dsireusa.org/. It keeps a comprehensive list of rebates and other incentives that are being offered by the government and also local utilities. This information can be a great help as you’re planning improvements to make your home more energy efficient.

Here’s wishing you a happy, energy-efficient New Year!

Keep your Christmas tree fresh by turning up the humidity!

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:17:00 GMT

I don’t get asked this a lot, but it’s certainly time for me to weigh in with what I know about Christmas trees. Or at least about keeping them fresh!

If you’ve ever had a real Christmas tree in your home, you probably know some of the basics:

Make a clean cut across the tree trunk when you bring it home.
Stand it in a base that holds water.
Keep a close eye on the family cats… and anything else that likes to climb!

Even though it seems like cut trees dry out quickly, there are some things you can do to prolong their beautiful green color and keep them fragrant and healthy-looking.

First, keep the tree away from heat sources. That means don’t stand the tree in a south-facing window where it will bake in the afternoon sun, or near the fireplace. If you need to place the tree near a vent, it’s a good idea to close off that vent for the few weeks that your tree is up.

Second, turn up the humidity! Winter’s dry air will affect your tree the same way it dries out your skin. You can use a portable humidifier to introduce more moisture into your home, but adding one to your home’s central air system is more efficient and effective. Keep in mind too that, with more humidity, you can turn your thermostat down and be just as comfortable. (Just ask anyone who lives in Florida if humidity makes you feel warmer!)

Lastly – and this goes without saying – keep watering the tree! After a few weeks, it’s easy to lose interest in your tree and forget to water it. But doing so will help it retain its needles, which means less clean-up for you when it’s time to move the tree outdoors.

Christmas is so fleeting – these tips should help you enjoy the fragrance and beauty of your Christmas tree longer! If you want more information about all kinds of trees, I’d suggest visiting the website of the National Christmas Tree Association.

Please find a place to recycle your tree in January, too. Happy Holidays!

Don’t put up with an uncomfortable house!

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:41:00 GMT

In an earlier blog, I talked about how common it is for people to put up with noisy furnaces. Today’s topic is along those same lines… I’m astounded by the number of people who tolerate unevenly heated homes for the same reason: they don’t know any different. Because heating and cooling updates are not on most people’s reading lists, a lot of folks are unaware that they don’t have to settle for an uncomfortable house!

Imagine what a difference it would make if you could actually control the heat in each room separately. Well you can! Your contractor can install a zone control system that will put separate thermostats in however many zones of your home you’d like. That way, you can control your upstairs, the south-facing room that always gets hot, the family room with the fireplace, and your kitchen all separately. Typically, the room with the thermostat is the most comfortable, but a zone control system allows you to keep all your rooms toasty.

With a zone system in place, you won't need to worry about the whole house being drafty because the doors are open so much. Or about the upstairs being cold because all the warm bodies are downstairs with the fireplace, the oven and the hot food (and the thermostat). Istead, your entire house will be evenly toasty.

No-brainers for lowering your energy bills

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:26:00 GMT

Does your family holiday weekend look something like this? Mom stands at the door with arms wide open greeting kids and grandkids (and dogs)! People bustle in. People bustle out. Another carload arrives, and everybody piles out to help unload the car. Hey, shut the door! But cousins are in and out… the guys are playing football in the yard. The ladies are back and forth between the kitchen and the refrigerator in the garage. Door open. Door closed. Over and over for a long weekend.

The holidays are great for memories, family bonding and just hanging out. But all that in-and-out is a sure gut-buster on your energy bill.

You can take some simple steps to help control your energy costs this winter. I’ve compiled some easy and practical energy saving tips that will lower your energy bills. Even though many of these are really obvious, sometimes it’s helpful to have a reminder.

Shut the front door!
Turn off lights when you leave a room.
Replace standard light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.
Clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator twice a year – this will make your refrigerator work more efficiently, extend its life, and can save you up to 6% on your energy bills.
Seal older windows inside and out – it’s really not hard, and your local hardware store will have experts who can talk you through it.
Schedule an inspection for cleaning of your home’s vents and ducts – this prevents dust and grime from hampering furnace performance.
Wash and dry full loads of clothes rather than doing partial loads.
Turn off appliances like TVs, computers and radios when no one is around.
Schedule regular maintenance on your heating and cooling system.

Of course, upgrading to an energy-saving heating and cooling system will make a significant dent in your energy bill as well. I encourage you to take this step before December 31, so you can take advantage of the Federal Energy Tax Credit – which puts a little more money in your pocket! Now get busy!

“Today, I am thankful for heat.”

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:05:00 GMT

We’re coming into the time of year when we intentionally take a minute to sit back, review our lives, and reflect on how much we have to be thankful for. It’s been a fantastic year for the Mohalleys, highlighted by the birth of my son.

Yet I was touched by the simplicity of this blog post from Amanda, who writes The Towne House from Rhode Island. On November 1 she wrote:

“Today, I am thankful for HEAT. We wait until November 1st to put our heat on (mostly–I cheated the other day) –there isn’t any reason not to pile on a sweatshirt or blanket when the weather isn’t *too* cold.

And it is SO nice to just turn a dial and have heat. We’ve vacuumed out most of the baseboards (just the living room to do), and I can smell that “just turned the heat on” smell, and I’m just so grateful to live in a home where the heat works, and I’m grateful that we were able to put oil in the tank 2 weeks ago.”

In America, most of us take heat for granted, and we don’t realize how sophisticated our heating systems have become. Life would be a whole lot different if we turned back the clock even 50 years and had to shovel coal into furnaces in our cellars! So when you’re giving thanks this month, be aware of the special blessing of heat, which allows your little ones to play comfortably in their bedrooms and keeps your pipes from freezing. And if you think of it, tip your heating contractor with a little something special this holiday season. He’s underappreciated.

Listen… is your furnace running?

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Even though I’ve been doing this for years, I’m still amazed how many people live with noise. They just don’t know anything different.

I’m talking about furnaces, of course. (I tend to think about furnaces a lot.) People get used to the sound of their furnace jolting on, just like they become accustomed to the sounds of their refrigerator or their sump pump or garage door opener. It becomes background noise, and they just tune it out.

People just take noise for granted, but isn’t peace and quiet nicer? More often than not, when I install a high-efficiency furnace with an ECM motor for a homeowner, they comment on how quiet it is! In fact, sometimes they call to ask me if it’s even running because they can’t hear it. Well the good news is that the high-tech Genteq motors in new furnaces are designed to be ultra-quiet. They run at low speed all the time, and gently ramp up to high speed when the thermostat dictates. This is high efficiency at its best, and there’s no more clunking or bursts of air when the furnace turns on.

A noisy furnace isn’t the end of the world. But the new technologies available today provide better efficiency and better quality of life. It’s time to stop settling for what you’ve always known!

Tick Tock… don’t let the clock run out! You can still qualify for a Federal Energy Tax Credit!

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:06:00 GMT

As much as I hate to say it, the year is winding down. We’re already heading into the holidays, and people have a lot on their minds… and it’s probably not their furnaces!

I know furnaces aren’t most people’s favorite topic (I’m never sure why, since I’m a “furnace guy”), but I can’t stress enough how great a deal our government is giving homeowners by offering a tax credit for upgrading their home’s energy efficiency!

The Federal Energy Tax Credit was big news early in the year, but the buzz died down a bit as we got into the second part of the year. The offer is good until December 31, 2010, though – the government will allow you to write off 30% of the cost of a new furnace, up to $1500, if you are upgrading your system’s energy efficiency!

New construction doesn’t count – the tax credit pertains only to upgrades made to your existing home, and in addition to high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, the tax credit also covers upgrades like insulation, roofing, windows and doors, and other improvements that will increase the energy-efficiency of your home. Take a look at the Energy Star web site http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index for all the details on what is eligible for this tax credit.

I hate to see anybody pass up this great incentive by the government to “go green!” You’ll see the impact immediately on your energy bill. So don’t let visions of sugar plums distract you from making this important decision while there’s still time in 2010. Give your contractor a call soon. By the time Santa comes, you’ll be out of time!

Tax Credits on Energy Efficient HVAC Products

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:00:00 GMT

2010, barring any extra-terrestrial phenomenon depicted in Arthur C Clark’s book, global warming will be limited to the various mundane theories that abound. One thing that is certain as we enter 2010 is April 15. Yes, tax time. What does global warming and tax time have to do with anything? Luckily, it means more money in our pockets. Inside the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress passed many tax credits that were aimed at increasing the adoption of energy efficient appliances and products. Below is the summary of the tax credits as well as a link to the form that you will need in order to claim the tax credit:

95% AFUE Natural Gas, Propane, Oil Furnaces – 30% of installation and parts up to $1,500.

Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan – this does not apply to the Evergreen motor. This is for new furnace installations that do not meet the 95% AFUE, but does meet the electrically efficient standard set forth by ARI. Qualifying systems are eligible for the 30% tax credit. There is a trick. You will need to apply the 30% to only the portion that applies to the blower and motor. Manufacturers will provide this percentage. For example, a $3000 furnace may be identified by the manufacturer to have the blower and motor cost to be 40% of the system. This will mean that the blower will essentially be $1200. So, the tax credit will be $360 (30% x $1200).

Geothermal Systems – 30% of the installation and parts. No maximum cap!

Central Air Conditioners - 30% of installation and parts up to $1500. Qualifying systems must meet 16 SEER AND 13 EER.

Air Source Heat Pumps – 30% of installation and parts up ot $1500. Qualifying systems must meet 15 SEER AND 12.5 EER.

IRS Form 5695

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf

FAQ on the Energy Star website:
http://tinyurl.com/yj686do

Note that the tax credit is a cumulative maximum of $1500 per tax filer’s lifetime. So, if you had spent $5,000 on a qualified furnace, then you would be maxed out. However, if you had spent $3,000 on a furnace, then you would have $600 left to apply (hopefully to a product that contains a Genteq product). To keep our lawyers satisfied, please make sure you check with your tax advisor or the IRS. Note that the tax credit is currently good for 2009 and 2010 installations only. It’s not April 14th yet, so I can’t advise how Turbo Tax may have simplified the forms.

-Paul

Evergreen Installation Example

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:39:00 GMT

Recently one of our engineers volunteered to teach a 2^nd grade class in economics through the Junior Achievement. She overheard one of the classes discussing what they were thankful for, and one of the girls said she was thankful for pockets. How simple and genuine kids are! As we go into Thanksgiving, I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight a recent installation Genteq completed to demonstrate the Evergreen blower motor. The Evergreen replacement blower motor is an aftermarket replacement motor for the furnace, or air handler, blower motor that utilizes the same ECM variable speed technology used in various manufacturers’ variable speed furnace and air handler system. The benefits of installing these motors into existing furnaces are the ability to achieve energy savings and indoor air quality improvements in the home.

The home in San Ramon, CA is a single story home with about 2300 sq. ft. Here are some of the watt savings for the homeowner.

Current Motor Evergreen Motor Watt Savings

Heating 605 Watts 390 Watts 215 Watts (reduction of 36%)

Cooling 598 Watts 530 Watts 68 Watts (reduction of 11%)

Constant Fan 598 Watts 118 Watts 480 Watts (reduction of 80%)

On top of the watt savings, the homeowner was very happy with the reduction in noise in constant fan mode which allowed the homeowner to run the motor in constant fan while enjoying the indoor air quality benefits.

At an average of $.17/kWHr, this translates to $328 of annual savings to the homeowner. I’m also thankful for pockets that will be filled with all the savings from the Evergreen motor!

To find out more information on the Evergreen blower replacement motor, please visit http://www.genteqcomfort.com

Why you should ask for NATE certified contractors.

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 GMT

The short answer is to make sure the technicians working in your home are qualified to get the job done right the first time and prevent callbacks. In the U.S. there is no national level requirement for HVAC contractors; it is left to each state. In most states the requirement to be a contractor is that one person in the company has a contractor’s license (usually but not always the owner). Outside of the contractor’s license, in almost all states, there is no minimum requirement or certification requirement to be an HVAC technician. NATE-certified technicians are skilled professionals who have voluntarily proven their knowledge in the HVAC industry by passing specialized NATE certification tests. In my opinion, NATE is like an HVAC technician’s degree that covers not only theory but also practical knowledge from field experience. The next time you are looking through the yellow pages for a contractor trying to find the lowest price, ask if they are NATE certified, and then decide if the cost savings is worth it for you and your family. For more information on NATE go to www.hvacradvice.com .

Stimulus bill provides homeowners lower cost green home improvements

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:51:00 GMT

The new stimulus bill now provides homeowners up to a $1500 credit on upgrades/additions to your heating and cooling system. This is a great way to enjoy a healthier, quieter home, at up to a 30% savings! Not to mention the impact it will have every month on lower utility bills. For more details, go to Energy Star's website. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

Q: Is Genteq the GE ECM?

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:11:00 GMT

Bill - Roanoke, VA

A:

The short answer to your question is "Yes." When Regal Beloit Incorporated bought GE ECM several years ago, the two corporations formed a contract giving Regal Beloit permission to use the "GE" name. In 2010, this contract expires and a new name will be needed. Rather than wait for the last minute, Regal Beloit is taking advantage of the final year of usage to form a smooth transition to the new name.

After screening literally hundreds of potential names, Genteq was chosen. It is derived from a combination of the words "Ingenuity" and "Technology," the main drivers behind the company's 100-year reputation. You can rest assured that the changes end there. Genteq products will continue be the high quality, high reliability, premium components they always have been. You can also look forward to a new commitment to even stronger, more responsive personal customer service. Plus the new logo looks great on a work shirt.

Q: Why is the second floor of my home so much colder than the first floor?

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:04:00 GMT

Vicki - Davenport, IA

A:

Everyone asks me that, Vicki. The answer is you probably only have one thermostat in your home, and it is located on the first floor. Because the first floor receives warmed air from the heating system first, it warms up faster. Once the thermostat temperature is met, the furnace shuts off – usually before enough warm air can reach the upper floor.

The best way to correct this is to install a zone heating system. This system divides your home into heating zones, each watched by it own thermostat. When the temperature in a particular zone falls below the set temperature, the thermostat in that zone turns on the furnace. A series of dampers in the duct work guide warm air only to that zone. As a result, the temperature in your home stays consistent from room to room – and your furnace won't work as hard.